Multi-functional distiller

ABSTRACT

Provided is a multi-functional apparatus that is able to isolate and collect organic compounds from plant material by way of steam distillation, organic solvent extraction, and oven purging and drying. The multi-functional apparatus is capable of being fitted with a variety of interchangeable condensers so as to accommodate the desired process. Among the organic compounds capable of being isolated and collected by way of the multi-functional apparatus are essential oils. Also provided is a botanical distillation and extraction apparatus which includes a main boiling chamber which is affixed with a selectively sealable cap. The selectively sealable cap is capable of being fitted with a variety of interchangeable condensers. The apparatus also includes a basket for holding plant matter that is attached to the boiling tank, a heating system, an optional vacuum system, and two distinctly unique condensers which may be interchangeably attached to the sealable cap according to the desired process.

TECHNICAL FIELD

A multi-functional distiller which can be used to separate mono terpenesfrom plant matter. More specifically, a unit that is able to perform asteam distillation of essential oils, a solvent extraction of a solidmaterial, and recover solvents from the solvent extract.

BACKGROUND

Botanical extracts are used in a variety of industries, including food,flavorings, medicine, cosmetics, and several industrial machineryprocesses such as tire manufacturing. The botanical extraction industryhas been growing at an increasing rate in recent years, and as anindustry generates approximately $350 billion in global annual dollars.

There are two general methods used for botanical extraction: steamdistilling and solvent extraction. Steam distilling generally followsthe same general steps. To start the process, steam is boiled and thenpumped through a container filled with plant matter. The container istypically constructed in such a way that the steam is able to passthrough the plant matter contained therein. The steam acts to separatethe botanical oils from the plant matter. The light, watery oils knownas mono terpenes, or essential oils, are entrained in the steam. The oilinfused steam then passes through a condenser. The cooled condenserliquefies the steam infused oil and sends the product to a receivervessel. Once in the receiver vessel, the oils separate into two distinctclasses; those that are water soluble and those that are not. Thenon-soluble oils float on top of the water, whereas the soluble oilscause the water they are infused in to take on a milky appearance. Thiswater infused with soluble oils is known as hydrosol.

Solvent extractions may be done in a multitude of ways. Prior to solventextraction, oil seeds are often pressed so as to remove the maximumamount of oil possible. Among the methods of solvent extraction arecombinations of heat, pressure, stirring, vacuum, and distilling. One ofthe most common forms of solvent extraction treats the oil-containingmaterial with a low boiler solvent. When the solvent then begins to boiland treats the oil-containing material, the vapor that results containsa large amount of oil constituents. The extraction unit is capable ofcapturing this vapor product and condensing it into a liquid. As apreferred solvent will have a much lower boiling point than that of theextract, the solvent is able to re-vaporize and continue thedistillation cycle, while the extract remains capture by the unit.

The need for this invention arises from the observation that steamdistilling only recovers light oils, while leaving behind othercompounds such as resins, fats, alkaloids and chlorophyll. Recoveringthese compounds requires moving the hot, moist plant material to asolvent extractor for re-extraction. Such a process is neither same norefficient. Solvent extractions, on the other hand, will generallyextract everything, including mono terpenes. However, distilling thesolvent back out of the extract results in the mono terpenes distillingoff with the solvent and subsequently being lost.

There currently exists a need for a unit that is able to perform thecombination of steam distilling and solvent extraction in one system.Such a unit would be able to capture all of the desired botanicalproducts, while eliminating the risk of losing any excess mono terpenesor damaging any product during transportation between units.

SUMMARY

An apparatus that is able to perform steam distillation of plantmaterial that results in the capturing of mono terpenes, or essentialoils. The apparatus is further able to be adapted to perform a solventextraction process so as to capture all of the other constituentscontained in the botanical. A solvent recovery distillation is then ableto be performed for removing any solvent from the resulting extract.

A botanical distillation and extraction apparatus comprising: a mainboiling chamber, a basket for holding plant matter, a heating system, anoptional vacuum system, and two distinctly unique condensers which maybe interchanged according to the desired process.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings in the following description illustratevarious exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. It isunderstood that a person of ordinary skill in the art may derive otherembodiments from these drawings which fall within the scope of thedisclosure set forth herein.

FIG. 1 is an embodiment of the apparatus equipped with the propercondenser to be used for either steam or solvent distillation;

FIG. 2 is an embodiment of the apparatus equipped with the propercondenser to be used for solvent extraction;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1, plant material is placed in a basket 2. Thebasket 2 is placed inside of a distillation unit. The basket 2 may be inthe shape of a rectangle, square, circle, ellipsis, or any other shapethat allows for the basket 2 to adequately retain plant material for thepurposes of distillation. According to one embodiment, the basket 2 maycontain any number of perforations 4. The perforations 4 allow liquid orvapor to pass through the faces of the basket 2 unopposed. Theperforations 4 may be located on any number of the faces of the basket2. This may include the top, bottom, or any sides of the basket 2.According to one embodiment, the perforations 4 are arranged in asquare-like grid pattern. According to another embodiment, theperforations 4 are arranged in a series of diamonds. The perforations 4may be arranged according to any pattern known by those skilled in theart to allow for the proper unopposed passage of liquid or vapor throughthe perforations 4.

According to one embodiment, the bottom of the basket 2 is perforated.According to another embodiment, the perforations 4 may run up the sideof the basket 2. The perforations 4 may cover any portion of the basket2 that still allows for a liquid or vapor to pass through the basket 2.According to another embodiment, the perforations 4 run 4″ up the sideof the basket 2.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the apparatus may contain any numberof selectively sealable ports 6. The ports 6 may be located on any ofthe surfaces of the apparatus. According to one embodiment, the ports 6are located in the side of the basket 2. The ports 6 may be configuredat the top of the basket 2 so that when open, solvent vapor is able toenter the interior of the basket 2 and liquefy on the condenser. Theports 6 are of a construction that allows them to be fully sealed fromthe outside atmosphere during either a distillation process or a solventextraction. The ports 6 may be manufactured from any material known inthe art to create a functioning seal for such purposes. The ports 6 maybe opened to the atmosphere when the apparatus is not running anoperation. The ports 6 may be operated by a flange, O-ring, gasket, orany other type of sealing mechanism known by those skilled in the art.

According to one embodiment, plant material may be stacked in the basket2 so as to at least fill the basket 2 above the top of the perforations4. According to another embodiment, the plant material is at moststacked to the bottom edge of the solvent vapor ports 6.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the cap 8 of the distiller may befitted with flanges. The flanges may be located on either the inside oroutside of the center opening used for attachment purposes of thecondensers. According to one embodiment, the steam distilling processuses a Pyrex glass condenser 10. According to another embodiment, thePyrex glass condenser 10 contains a Coldfinger style condenser 26located at the top of the Pyrex glass condenser 10. The Pyrex glasscondenser 10 is attached to the top of the cap 8. The basket 2 of plantmaterial is placed in the boiling tank 12. Water is then added to theboiling tank 12 until the desired water level is reached. According toone embodiment, the desired water level is just below the bottom of thebasket 2. According to another embodiment, the desired water level iscalculated according to a desired ratio of water to plant material. Thecap 8 may be secured to the condenser by way of swing bolt closures, orany other means of securement. The water located in the boiling tank 12is then brought to a boil.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the steam generated from the boilingwater penetrates the plant material. The steam passes through the plantmaterial, separating and gathering oils as it passes through. Theoil-infused steam then rises to the top of the boiling tank 12. Afterarriving at the top of the boiling tank 12, the oil-infused steam thenreaches the Pyrex glass condenser 10. The oil-infused steam liquefies onthe Pyrex glass condenser 10, causing the resultant liquid product tobegin “dripping”. The dripping liquid is captured in a catch basin 14(also referred to as a “separatory funnel), which is suspended beneaththe Pyrex glass condenser 10. According to one embodiment, the catchbasin 14 is a cup. The catch basin 14 may be larger than the Pyrex glasscondenser 10 so as to ensure that all of the liquid product is capturedduring the dripping phase.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the catch basin 14 contains anangled joint 16. The angled joint 16 allows liquid to exit the catchbasin 14. The angled joint 16 is positioned at such an angle so as toallow liquid to drain from the bottom of the catch basin 14, but onlywhen the liquid level in the catch basin 14 is above the level of theangled joint 16. The angled joint 16 may be placed on any face of thecatch basin 14. According to one embodiment, the angled joint 16 isaffixed with a drain valve 20 for cutting off the flow exiting theangled joint 16. The means for cutting off flow from the angled joint 16may be by way of a drain valve, a plug, or any other means known bythose skilled in the art.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the oil begins to build up on thesurface of the water inside the catch basin 14. According to oneembodiment, the angled joint 16 is placed at such a height along theside of the catch basin 14 so that the rate at which liquid drains fromthe catch basin 14 through the angled joint 16 matches that of the rateat which liquid flows off of the Pyrex glass condenser 10 and into thecatch basin 14. The oil collection method allows for creating steamvapor with lightly simmering water, which in turn acts to protectdelicate flower essences within the oils from thermal degradation.

According to one embodiment, the system may be operated at lowerpressures. According to another embodiment, the system may be run undervacuum. A vacuum pump 18 may be attached to the Pyrex glass condenser 10in order to lower the pressure of the system. According to oneembodiment, the vacuum pump is located at the top of the Pyrex glasscondenser 10. Operating the system at a lower pressure causes theboiling point of the water to be lowered, which allows for the creationof steam at lower temperatures.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, when oil stops building up in thecatch basin 14, the drain valve 20 may be closed. The closing of thedrain valve 20 allows the catch basin 14 to fill up with distilledwater. The level of distilled water will then continue to rise until thelevel begins to reach the top of the catch basin 14. A second angledjoint 22 is located near the top portion of the catch basin 14.According to one embodiment, the second angled joint 22 is positioned soas to allow the liquid located at the top of the catch basin 14 to beginflowing out of the catch basin 14 at such a time when the liquid levelrises above the second angled joint 22.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the second angled joint 22 isaffixed with a drain valve 24 for cutting off the flow exiting thesecond angled joint 22. The means for cutting off flow from the secondangled joint 22 may be by way of a drain valve, a plug, or any othermeans known by those skilled in the art. Once the distilled water hasreached a sufficient level so as to allow all of the desired oil productto flow through the second angled joint 22 and be captured, the drainvalve 24 affixed to the second angled joint 22 may be closed.

With reference to FIG. 2, the Pyrex glass condenser is removed from thetop of the cap 32. An inverted condenser 100 is then attached to theunderside of the cap 32 in place of the Pyrex glass condenser. The cap32 hangs over the basket 34 which contains the plant material. Thebasket 34 may be in the shape of a rectangle, square, circle, ellipsis,or any other shape that allows for the basket 34 to adequately retainplant material for the purposes of organic solvent extraction.

According to one embodiment, the inverted condenser 100 is designed tobe cylindrical in shape. The inverted condenser 100 may be designed soas to have a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the basket 34.Multiple tubes 36 run from the exterior of the top of the invertedcondenser 100 to the exterior of the bottom of the inverted condenser100. According to one embodiment, the inverted condenser 100 hasmultiple tubes running from the exterior of one vertical side of theinverted condenser 100 to the exterior of the opposing side of theinverted condenser 100. According to another embodiment, the invertedcondenser 100 has tubes running from the exterior of the top of theinverted condenser 100 to the exterior of the bottom of the invertedcondenser 100, and tubes running from the exterior of one vertical sideof the inverted condenser 100 to the exterior of the opposing side ofthe inverted condenser 100.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, an organic solvent is poured throughthe plat material. According to one embodiment, the organic solvent isan alcohol, such as Ethanol. The organic solvent is added to the unit insuch an amount so as to at least cover the bottom portion of the boilertank 38. According to one embodiment, the organic solvent is added untilit is between about two to about three inches deep in the boiler tank38. The cap 32 is fitted into place and secured. Cooling fluid may thenbe flushed through the inverted condenser 100 to control the temperatureof the unit. According to one embodiment, the temperature maintained inthe inverted condenser 100 is between 45°−65° F. (7.2°-18.3° C.). Heatis then applied to the boiler tank 38 so as to bring the organic solventto a boil.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the combination of heating theboiler tank 38 and cooling the inverted condenser 100 commences adistillation cycle in which the organic solvent begins to vaporize. Thecaps covering the ports 40 on the basket 34 are removed and the basket34 is left in place in the boiler tank 38. The vapors of the organicsolvent enter through the ports 40 in the upper sides of the basket 34.The vapors then begin to liquefy on the inverted condenser 100. Theliquefied organic solvent then drips from the inverted condenser 100 onto the plant material below.

According to one embodiment, organic solvent distillate collects on thetop of the inverted condenser 100. According to another embodiment,organic solvent distillate also collects on the inside of the tubes 36.This allows for liquefied organic solvent to flow down the tubes 36 and“rain” evenly across the top of the basket 34. According to anotherembodiment, liquefied organic solvent also flows off the sides of theinverted condenser 100. The combination of solvent flow parametersallows for an even extraction of the botanical.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, as the liquefied organic solvent is“raining” down onto the plant material, organic solvent vapor isdirectly penetrating the plant material in the basket 34. According toone embodiment, the penetration of the organic solvent vapor creates aunique condition in which organic solvent vapor and liquefied organicsolvent are working independently and simultaneously to perform theextraction of the botanical.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the unit may be placed under vacuumto lower the boiling point of the solvent. According to one embodiment,low temperature extraction of the botanical may be desired.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, as the plant material begins tobecome saturated with the organic solvent, the organic solvent begins tostrip soluble constituents from the botanical. The extracted saturatedorganic solvent then begins to drip through the perforations 42 in thebottom of the basket 34. The basket 34 may contain any number ofperforations 42. The perforations 42 allow liquid or vapor to passthrough the faces of the basket 34 unopposed. The perforations 42 may belocated on any number of the faces of the basket 34. This may includethe top, bottom, or any sides of the basket 34.

According to one embodiment, the extract has a boiling point which ishigher than that of the organic solvent. This discrepancy in boilingpoints allows for the extract to remain in the bottom of the boiler tank38 while the organic solvent continues to re-vaporize. The continuedre-vaporization of the organic solvent causes the gas to rise back tothe inverted condenser 100. According to one embodiment, this cycle isallowed to repeat for a specified period of time. According to anotherembodiment, the cycle is allowed to repeat until such a time when theorganic solvent is deemed to have fulfilled its purpose for extraction.This may be by way of deeming that the plant material no longer containsany useful botanicals, or any other signs known by those skilled in theart for indicating the completion of an extraction cycle.

According to one embodiment, upon completion of the extraction cycle,the operator may pour off the extract saturated organic solvent andstore it for another purpose. According to another embodiment, theoperator could use the unit to distill the organic solvent out of theextract.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the basket of plant material isremoved from the boiler tank 38. The inverted condenser 100 is thenremoved from the cap 32.

Referring now back to FIG. 1, the Pyrex glass condenser 10 isre-installed on the top of the cap 8. According to one embodiment, thePyrex glass condenser 10 contains a Coldfinger style condenser 26located at the top of the Pyrex glass condenser 10.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, a distillation cycle is thencommenced. According to one embodiment, organic solvent begins tovaporize out of the extract. The organic solvent then begins tosubsequently liquefy on the Coldfinger style condenser 26. Condensedorganic solvent is then able to flow into a collecting unit. Accordingto one embodiment, the collecting unit is the catch basin 14 that isused to collect the essential oils from the previous distillation.According to another embodiment, the collecting unit is a structure ofsimilar kind to that of the catch basin 14, however the previouslyobtained essential oils are not located in the collecting unit.According to another embodiment, the collecting unit is of any shape,size, and material that allows for the safe and efficient capture of thecondensed organic solvent, as known by those skilled in the art.

According to one embodiment, the condensed organic solvent drains out ofthe bottom outlet of the catch basin 14 and into another collecting unitlocated outside of the distillation unit. According to one embodiment,the entirety of the organic solvent may be removed from the extract.According to another embodiment, this process may be used to only removea portion of the organic solvent from the extract.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, if a complete purge of organicsolvent is desired, the extract may be placed in a separate containerafter the majority of the organic solvent has been removed through theabove process. According to one embodiment, the separate container is abowl. The basket 2 may then be placed back in the boiler tank 12 and thebowl placed inside the basket 2. According to one embodiment, the unitis supplied with heat to dilute the extract to the desired concentrationof organic solvent. According to another embodiment, the unit is placedin a vacuum and then supplied with heat to dilute the extract to thedesired concentration of organic solvent. The extract is thus notsubjected to direct contact with the heated sides and bottom of thedistiller, protecting the extract from any thermal degradationassociated with such.

The distillation unit also may be used as a vacuum oven for purging anddrying extracts. Vacuum ovens have a heating source, a rack to hold thematerial that is to be dried and the capability of handling a deepvacuum from a vacuum pump. The present distillation unit satisfies offof these criteria as in includes a perforated basket that holds plantmaterial and also serves as the rack to hold a tray or bowl of materialto be purged and dried.

Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed:

I claim:
 1. A method for extracting botanicals from plant material,comprising the steps of: a. distilling essential oils from plantmaterial, comprising the steps of: placing a load of plant material inan extraction unit, said extraction unit comprising; a basket forholding the plant material, the basket containing at least oneselectively sealable port; a boiling tank in which the basket may beplaced; a sealable cap that is capable of being fitted with differenttypes of condensers; a condenser that is capable of distilling theessential oils from the plant material; an inverted condenser that iscapable of performing a solvent extraction of organic compounds from theplant material; a catch basin used to collect the essential oils thatare distilled by the condenser, and; a collection unit used to collectsolvent saturated with extracted organic compounds that are extracted bthe inverted condenser, wherein the condenser and inverted condenser areable to be interchanged to the cap so as to allow a single unit toperform both a steam distillation and a solvent extraction of botanicalsfrom a single load of plant material, and wherein the collection unitused to collect the solvent saturated with the extracted organiccompounds is the bottom of the boiling tank into which the organicsolvent used for extraction is loaded; attaching the basket holding theplant material to the boiling tank; affixing the condenser to thesealable cap located on the boiling tank; boiling water within theboiling tank to produce steam, wherein the steam passes through theplant material, separating and gathering the essential oils from theplant material as it passes through, to produce oil-infused steam;liquefying the oil-infused steam on the condenser to produce essentialoils and distilled water; capturing the essential oils and distilledwater in a catch basin, and; separating the essential oils from thedistilled water by way of a separatory funnel; b. and extracting organiccompounds from the plant material, comprising the steps of: pouring anorganic solvent through the load of plant material located in theextraction unit: bringing the organic solvent to a boil; opening atleast one of the selectively sealable ports on the basket; allowing theplant material to be simultaneously penetrated by both liquid and vapororganic solvent to produce the solvent saturated with the extractedorganic compounds from the plant material, and; collecting the solventsaturated with the extracted organic compounds in the collection unit.2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: a. replacingthe inverted condenser with another condenser; b. purging the system ofall organic solvent that is not saturated with the extracted organiccompounds; c. bringing the solvent saturated with the extracted organiccompounds to a boil; d. capturing the extracted organic compounds in thecatch basin, and; e. allowing excess solvent to drain out the bottom ofthe catch basin.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the stepsof: a. placing the extracted organic compounds in a separate container;b. placing the separate container in the unit in the absence of anyfluids, and; c. supplying heat to the extracted organic compounds so asto remove any excess solvent residue.
 4. The method of claim 3, whereinthe extracted organic compounds are heated under a vacuum.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein the extracted organic compounds comprise resins,fats, alkaloids, and chlorophyll.